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https://blackgirlnerds.com/a-disproportionate-number-of-black-women-are-kinless/
Speaking with a dear friend of mine recently, we both expressed our thoughts about getting older. We’ve known each other since we were kids, so our thoughts ran freely. My friend also talked about her feelings of having no partner or spouse, siblings, or children, and it dawned on her that there were no other family members to care for her once she became much older. She is one of the nearly one million Americans referred to as kinless, as well as part of the 62 percent of Black women unpartnered.
Nearly seven percent of American adults aged 55 and older have no living spouse or biological children, according to a study published in 2017 in The Journals of Gerontology. Researchers often use the term kinless, because spouses and children are the relatives most likely to serve as caregivers. Unfortunately, this overlooks the support systems single Black women build. It also perpetuates the gloom and doom narrative that single Black women are given. Why does there have to be a cost for being single?
As a Black woman, and many other Black women I know, I was raised to push past stereotypes and the status quo. There was always a focus on obtaining my education and taking care of myself. The nostalgia for a husband was not present for me growing up. I did get married, but it unfortunately ended. However, I have been in a committed relationship for quite some time, and blessed with two bonus children.
Although unmarried, I have a constant companion; someone that is here and will hopefully be here as I grow older. For my friend, rather than a constant companion, there’s a fleeting feeling like having long-term financial security; travelling more; owning a home — an absence that can be acknowledged without threatening day-to-day satisfaction. Unhappy about a life thus far unlived doesn’t displace the joy found in a life that is currently being lived. My life, or my friend’s life, might not look like the one a lot of our white counterparts have been taught from birth to strive for — a husband, a house and two kids — but it is a happy one.
Finding acceptance in singlehood almost feels like you have to give up on yourself, like you’re releasing agency over your love life, or somehow giving power to the unrelenting false narrative that Black women are undesirable. No matter how basically it’s presented, there’s nothing neutral about the statistics. It’s read as a problem Black women must fix, or worse, that Black women are a problem that must be fixed.
The pandemic only exacerbated some Black women’s uncertainty about the supposed connection between marriage and happiness. Yes, the pandemic was lonely for singles. It was hard and lonely for all of us, for that matter. Often, when discussing singleness, there is a focus on what is lacking from a life unpartnered. Rarely do we consider what must be substituted for a life lived with someone else.
I believe that Black women’s singlehood is often considered a threat. My reasoning is that if you’re able to create a full life on your own, then maybe other lives are possible. Maybe, just maybe, your world is opened up to see things you never knew possible. Black women are constantly told that being unpartnered is the worst thing that can happen to you. That narrative discounts the joy and achievement that we can bring to ourselves. That’s not to say that single Black women don’t want children or partnership. But we don’t have to settle in fear of being alone.
Our society assumes that everyone has at least some family, but it’s really not the case. Several demographic factors have fostered increased kinlessness. Baby boomers have lower marriage rates and higher divorce rates than their parents, and more have remained childless. The rise of gray divorce (divorces after age 50) also means fewer married seniors, and extended life spans can make for more years without surviving family.
Black women have always considered relationships and connections beyond biological. Our family extends to the best friend since grade school, or the college roommate that has been with us through thick and thin. However, these supportive networks do not receive legal benefits like the bonds of marriage and biological family. This is where I find myself — being in a relationship but not married. My bonus children are not my biological children. So, on paper, my siblings would need to step in to make decisions on my behalf.
In my state of California, a research and policy project called Master Plan for Aging is a framework for supporting California’s population of Black residents who are 60 years and older. The initiative stems from Governor Gavin Newsome’s executive order to develop a strategy to promote the health and well-being of older Californians. It also centers Black women addressing the unique concerns of what equity in aging needs to look like.
I am not yet 60 years old. But as I get older, I think more intently about what that will look like. I think about my friends who are closer to that age, and the thoughts and worries that are beginning to set in for them as well.
Achieving equity for Black women as they age requires policy changes to redefine standards around relationship status and worth. Everyone deserves the basics of human dignity. A Black woman’s value is not defined by marital or romantic relationship status, and our rights, benefits, and protections should not be linked to those statuses.
Speaking with a dear friend of mine recently, we both expressed our thoughts about getting older. We’ve known each other since we were kids, so our thoughts ran freely. My friend also talked about her feelings of having no partner or spouse, siblings, or children, and it dawned on her that there were no other family members to care for her once she became much older. She is one of the nearly one million Americans referred to as kinless, as well as part of the 62 percent of Black women unpartnered.
Nearly seven percent of American adults aged 55 and older have no living spouse or biological children, according to a study published in 2017 in The Journals of Gerontology. Researchers often use the term kinless, because spouses and children are the relatives most likely to serve as caregivers. Unfortunately, this overlooks the support systems single Black women build. It also perpetuates the gloom and doom narrative that single Black women are given. Why does there have to be a cost for being single?
As a Black woman, and many other Black women I know, I was raised to push past stereotypes and the status quo. There was always a focus on obtaining my education and taking care of myself. The nostalgia for a husband was not present for me growing up. I did get married, but it unfortunately ended. However, I have been in a committed relationship for quite some time, and blessed with two bonus children.
Although unmarried, I have a constant companion; someone that is here and will hopefully be here as I grow older. For my friend, rather than a constant companion, there’s a fleeting feeling like having long-term financial security; travelling more; owning a home — an absence that can be acknowledged without threatening day-to-day satisfaction. Unhappy about a life thus far unlived doesn’t displace the joy found in a life that is currently being lived. My life, or my friend’s life, might not look like the one a lot of our white counterparts have been taught from birth to strive for — a husband, a house and two kids — but it is a happy one.
Finding acceptance in singlehood almost feels like you have to give up on yourself, like you’re releasing agency over your love life, or somehow giving power to the unrelenting false narrative that Black women are undesirable. No matter how basically it’s presented, there’s nothing neutral about the statistics. It’s read as a problem Black women must fix, or worse, that Black women are a problem that must be fixed.
The pandemic only exacerbated some Black women’s uncertainty about the supposed connection between marriage and happiness. Yes, the pandemic was lonely for singles. It was hard and lonely for all of us, for that matter. Often, when discussing singleness, there is a focus on what is lacking from a life unpartnered. Rarely do we consider what must be substituted for a life lived with someone else.
I believe that Black women’s singlehood is often considered a threat. My reasoning is that if you’re able to create a full life on your own, then maybe other lives are possible. Maybe, just maybe, your world is opened up to see things you never knew possible. Black women are constantly told that being unpartnered is the worst thing that can happen to you. That narrative discounts the joy and achievement that we can bring to ourselves. That’s not to say that single Black women don’t want children or partnership. But we don’t have to settle in fear of being alone.
Our society assumes that everyone has at least some family, but it’s really not the case. Several demographic factors have fostered increased kinlessness. Baby boomers have lower marriage rates and higher divorce rates than their parents, and more have remained childless. The rise of gray divorce (divorces after age 50) also means fewer married seniors, and extended life spans can make for more years without surviving family.
Black women have always considered relationships and connections beyond biological. Our family extends to the best friend since grade school, or the college roommate that has been with us through thick and thin. However, these supportive networks do not receive legal benefits like the bonds of marriage and biological family. This is where I find myself — being in a relationship but not married. My bonus children are not my biological children. So, on paper, my siblings would need to step in to make decisions on my behalf.
In my state of California, a research and policy project called Master Plan for Aging is a framework for supporting California’s population of Black residents who are 60 years and older. The initiative stems from Governor Gavin Newsome’s executive order to develop a strategy to promote the health and well-being of older Californians. It also centers Black women addressing the unique concerns of what equity in aging needs to look like.
I am not yet 60 years old. But as I get older, I think more intently about what that will look like. I think about my friends who are closer to that age, and the thoughts and worries that are beginning to set in for them as well.
Achieving equity for Black women as they age requires policy changes to redefine standards around relationship status and worth. Everyone deserves the basics of human dignity. A Black woman’s value is not defined by marital or romantic relationship status, and our rights, benefits, and protections should not be linked to those statuses.
2024 got off to a good start, at least for stand-up comedian and actor Micah “Katt” Williams.
His recent interview on the former football tight end Shannon Sharpe’s podcast, Club Shay Shay, has sent shockwaves through the media and the comedy world. Williams spared no big names, or ammunition, and his revelations included candid anecdotes, as well as shocking and controversial statements regarding some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, including Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley, rapper Ludacris, and Friday series creator, Ice Cube himself.
The statements about the latter were particularly interesting, as they related to Katt Williams’ role in Ice Cube’s Friday after Next movie. In the interview, Williams disclosed that the script contained a scene of sexual assault against his character, Money Mike. He added that he advocated for the scene’s removal, ultimately relying on all the credibility and all the pull he had in comedy to have the scene snipped to the cutting room floor. Reflecting on his impactful career in comedy, one might wonder: Does Katt Williams really have that much pull, and is he really among the best comedians of all time?
Before we answer that question, we have to point out that Ice Cube responded to Katt Williams’ statement regarding the scene. While he did express his respect for Williams and his contributions to Friday after Next — which started out small but quickly expanded once the filming started — Ice Cube characterized Katt’s claims regarding the alleged rape scene as “discrepancies” in how he and Katt Williams remember things.
That aside, let’s discuss Katt Williams’ place in the pantheon of great Black comedians.
It’s no secret that Katt Williams enjoys a long and fruitful career in comedy. At just 13 years old, in his re-telling, he left his family home and moved to Florida, where he supported himself with a series of odd jobs. At 19 years old, Williams began performing stand-up comedy in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, where he soon became recognized for the electric performances he’s still known for today. This early start in comedy allowed him to hone his comic delivery by performing his routines in clubs around the country. By 1999, he had become an established and well-known comedian.
However, his entry into the mainstream happened nearly a decade later, in 2008, following the release of 2007’s Katt Williams: American Hustle. The movie, co-written and starred by Williams, was an absolute success among critics and audiences alike. Paired with several successful comedy specials that Williams released around that time, the movie propelled his career into the limelight and landed him a place among some of the best comedians of our time.
Over time, Williams has released several successful comedy specials, including Katt Williams: Priceless: Afterlife (directed by the legendary Spike Lee) and his most recent release, titled World War III, on Netflix. It’s these works that reveal what exactly makes Katt Williams a great comedian. Priceless opened with two women dancing on each side of a cage with a lion inside, but when the cage opens, a different kind of Katt emerges (pun intended). In World War III, he races across the stage. All the shows in between display an incredible amount of showmanship.
And that’s precisely what makes Katt Williams so good: his understanding and adherence to the unwritten laws of comedy that state that comedy isn’t all about the jokes but is equal parts delivery. Katt Williams might be considered a comedian, but he’s a consummate performer above all. His delivery has a distinct rhythm complemented by his swagger and a high-pitched voice that can make anything funny. This, paired with his live-wire physicality and energetic performances, is what sets Katt apart. His act isn’t about carefully crafted and honed jokes; it’s about how he delivers the punchlines.
Another aspect that makes Williams great is his improvisational sense, the way he works off the audience’s response and the way in which he moves from something completely goofy to something very serious. That blend of high-signature delivery and overall energetic performance, paired with clever little insights into everyday life and culture, all comprise the maraschino cherry that sits atop the pimp red suit that crowns Katt as a recognizably raw and unfiltered comedic juggernaut.
But we’ve talked about William’s accolades and style long enough. While he is a comedic force to be reckoned with, does he really have a place on the Mt. Rushmore of comedians such as Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Dave Chappelle, and Chris Tucker? Well, it’s really challenging to put Katt Williams among the top five Black comedians of all time, especially when we consider the breadth and impact of people like Pryor or Martin Lawrence. And we’re not trying to diminish Williams’ talent or influence, but rather to acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of his peers, like Chappelle.
Also, we’d have to take into account all the metrics that would be considered for such rankings. Are we talking about the comedians from the current era, or are we also including those who have passed? Are we discussing comedians who are still touring or those who have their own comedy special, a movie, or a television show? There are plenty of things to consider here, and the lack of any concrete data surrounding these questions makes Katt Williams’ ranking among the top five of all time even more challenging than it already is.
Ultimately, when considering an artist’s impact, we must look at their influence and their ability to remain relevant over time. In this regard, Katt Williams has certainly made a significant impact, and his influence in comedy is undeniable, as he’s enjoying a career that spans more than three decades. So, while the answer to whether he’s one of the top five Black comedians might be subjective, his unquestionably profound influence on comedy remains an objective truth.
According to the International Air Transport Association, IATA, 4.7 billion is the number of people expected to travel in 2024. Traveling has made a comeback over the last few years and is a top priority for many.
If you want to join the billions of people traveling this year, starting with a plan is essential. Without a clear intention, it can be easy to fall into excuses such as thinking traveling is too expensive, thinking you don’t have time to travel, or being unsure of where to go.
However, if you’re determined to start traveling this year or want to continue your travel adventures from last year, here’s how to travel more.
1. Create an Intention or Goal to Travel
The first step is to get out of the mindset of simply wanting to travel. In reality, we all want things, but if we don’t act toward achieving what we want, our desires are just ideas.
Consider why you want to travel. Do you feel you’re missing out on something by not traveling? Do you need to break out of your routine? You may want to have new experiences or learn from different cultures. Whatever your reason is, be very clear on why you want to travel.
Next, consider creating a goal or intention for your travels. A goal is something that has a specific result. For instance, some travel goals might be:
- Visiting ten new states this year.
- Going to five new museums.
- Visiting all the national parks.
Having a specific goal you want to achieve makes traveling more tangible for your brain. The more realistic your goal is, the easier it can be to take action. Likewise, an intention is more about having a specific motivation or purpose. Examples of travel intentions could be:
- Experiencing solo travel.
- Visiting a culture that is entirely different from your own.
- Practice speaking a foreign language in a different country.
- Completely relax and disconnect from your daily responsibilities.
Once you know what you want to gain from traveling, choose a destination to help you complete your goals. When you know where you want to go, you can start preparing your finances.
2. Make a Travel Budget
There is a common misconception that traveling costs a lot of money. The truth is it can, depending on where, when, and how you travel. Affordable travel is possible, depending on your planning and preparation.
Look for Affordable Flights or Other Means of Transportation
When looking at flights, consider using tools such as Google Flights that can tell you the different flight prices for the month. You can also set up price alerts on websites such as Kayak.com to monitor the price of your flight and to receive notifications of lower prices.
Alternatively, if flights are out of your price range, consider going to a closer destination: one you travel to by bus, train, or car.
Use Traditional and Non-traditional Accommodation Methods
To save money, consider your various accommodation options. Booking a hotel is an obvious choice but can be the most expensive. If you are more flexible with where you to stay, consider budget-friendly options such as Airbnb and hostels.
The hostel scene has dramatically improved over the years. Many hostels cater to solo travelers by having private rooms, bathrooms, and workspaces. They also help foster a sense of community by hosting parties, meet-ups, and other events for guests.
If you want to offset the cost of accommodations completely, try house sitting. This opportunity will require some planning and patience. Essentially, you offer to pet-sit or house-sit at someone’s home while the homeowners are on vacation. Minimal costs are involved, such as signing up for a house-sitting membership and transportation. Yet once you book a house-sit, you agree to take care of someone’s home for free.
Ask to Stay with a Friend
Lastly, one of the most budget-friendly travel methods is visiting friends and asking to stay in their spare bedroom or couch. It’s not the most glamorous option, but this is an option if you want to travel.
As you look at flight and accommodation costs, you’ll gain an idea of how much your trip will cost. Consider additional costs such as food, transportation, activities, currency conversions, and other things you plan on spending money on.
Once you know what you want to spend your money on, you can decide how much you want to spend in different areas. When you know how much your trip will cost, you can begin to save up.
3. Spend Time or Talk with Other Travelers
Similar to surrounding yourself with people you want to be like, the same goes for travelers. When you talk to other people who have been where you want to go, it helps to:
- Alleviate any fears you have.
- Answer questions.
- Help you gain a better perspective on where you are going.
- Assist you in preparing for your trip.
A simple way to get started is to set up a call with friends you know who have traveled a lot recently or will be traveling soon. You can also join Facebook groups of travelers and ask people in the group questions. Lastly, if you don’t want to reach out to anyone, you can follow YouTubers and travel influencers who share authentic experiences about their travels.
4. Travel Locally
One of the simplest ways to travel more this year is to be a tourist in your own backyard. Some of the most beautiful places in the world may be closer to you than you think. Start by visiting your state’s museums, parks, and historic places.
Ways to travel locally include:
- Taking a train or bus to an unfamiliar city or town.
- Join a hiking club or an outdoors club.
- Sign up for volunteer work.
- Take a city tour.
- Visit a national park.
- Visit a new beach.
- Go camping.
5. Travel Off-Season
Traveling off-season or during the shoulder season will help you find some of the best travel deals and avoid large crowds.
Most people travel during what is known as the peak season, which takes place between June and August. The shoulder season, another good time to travel, is around April to mid-June. The off-season is between November and March when the least amount of people are traveling.
When traveling during off or shoulder seasons, check the weather for the destination you plan to visit. In some countries, the off-season may mean lots of rain or thunderstorms. However, many destinations have a lot to offer during these non-popular seasons.
Traveling can impact the rest of your life. Exploring a new country and learning about a different culture makes life adventurous, fun, and worthwhile. So leave your excuses in 2023 and make 2024 your year of travel.
We all know that Amazon is a trillion-dollar company, with the money and resources to protect its interests at all costs. So how do you portray the daunting task of trying to fight a trillion-dollar company as the little guy? You start with footage of middle class workers waiting in line for public transportation early in the morning. The workers are making the trip to Amazon Warehouse. Now compare it to footage of Jeff Bezos heading into space via a rocket. This could not highlight the difference in realities for these two any better. You now have everyone’s attention. This is exactly how the documentary Union from the Sundance film festival starts out to capture the viewer. Filmmakers Stephen Maing and Brett Story follow The Amazon Labor Union (ALU) lead by a former Amazon worker Chris Smalls as they fight an uphill battle to officially unionize.
Union, catalogs the ups and downs of the ALU at the Amazon JFK8 Fulfillment center in Staten Island from Spring 2021 to April 1, 2022. Chris Smalls is the leader of the ALU movement. A former Amazon employee, Smalls was fired for protesting the lack of PPE available to employees during covid. They were packing PPE up and sending it all over the world in fulfillment but could not obtain it for a safe working environment. He then decided to start the ALU.
The documentary follows the efforts of Chris and several other ALU members to obtain enough signatures to meet the 30% threshold required to file and then initiate a vote. Amazon has a lot of turnover (150% stated in the documentary), so getting 30% of a current workforce was no easy task. We do hear a common employee complaints of being overworked and underpaid as a reason to push for the union. There is also mention of an algorithm that decided who was working the hardest, but we never receive specific details of instances.
Via phone camera footage inside the warehouse we do see some of Amazon’s tactics to combat ALU efforts. HR representatives at orientations focus on the costs each individual person will pay for the union, while implying there would be little benefit. There is mention of union busters getting paid upwards of $2000 a day to persuade people from signing as well as write ups in retaliation.
Union does an excellent job showcasing the struggles endured during the fight to unionize including arrests, arguments and disciplinary action. The ALU is not made out to be the number one authority on everything union. In fact, there are times where it is obvious that they do not completely know what they are doing. Despite their struggles the ALU does not back down. The ALU is creative in its efforts to obtain signatures. From inviting people in with free food to free weed, they use any tools at their disposal to complete their goal.
A great documentary, Union takes you through the David vs Goliath fight the ALU has against Amazon and you can’t help but cheer these workers on.
Credits
- DIRECTOR(S)STEPHEN MAINGBRETT STORY
- PRODUCERSSAMANTHA CURLEYMARS VERRONE
- EXECUTIVE PRODUCERSIMPACT PARTNERSTHE VILLA FAMILYANONYMOUS CONTENT
- CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERSBARBARA DOBKINERIC DOBKINPAULA FROEHLESTEVE COHENNATASHA DOLBYDAVID DOLBYMERYL METNIPIERRE HAUSERCHELSEA HALLIGANRYAN PARKERALEXANDER CARPENTERANDREW NEEL
- CINEMATOGRAPHERMARTIN DICICCO
- EDITORSBLAIR MCCLENDONMALIKA ZOUHALI-WORRALL
- COMPOSERROBERT AIKI AUBREY LOWE
- YEAR2023
- CATEGORYFEATURE
- COUNTRYUNITED STATES
- LANGUAGEENGLISH
- RUN TIME102 MIN
- COMPANYLEVEL GROUND PRODUCTIONS
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